If you own property in Hillsborough County, you can’t just remove a tree because you want it gone. The county has a tree protection ordinance in place that regulates the removal of certain trees on both residential and commercial properties, and violating it can result in fines and mandatory replanting requirements that cost far more than following the rules in the first place.
Here’s what homeowners in unincorporated Hillsborough County need to know about the tree ordinance, when permits are required, and how to handle tree removal the right way.
What the Ordinance Protects
Hillsborough County’s tree and vegetation protection regulations are found in the county’s Land Development Code. The ordinance applies primarily to unincorporated areas of the county — if your property is within the city limits of Tampa, Temple Terrace, or Plant City, those municipalities have their own separate tree ordinances.
The ordinance protects what the county classifies as “protected trees” and “grand trees.” Understanding the difference matters because the rules and requirements are different for each.
Protected trees are generally those with a trunk diameter (caliper) of 8 inches or more, measured at 4.5 feet above ground (DBH). Most native and non-invasive trees that reach this size threshold are considered protected.
Grand trees receive the highest level of protection. These are defined by species and size — for example, a live oak with a DBH of 24 inches or more, or other species at specified thresholds. Grand trees are considered significant community assets, and the county makes them very difficult to remove without strong justification.
When Do You Need a Permit?
You need a tree removal permit from Hillsborough County when removing any protected or grand tree on your property. This applies whether you’re removing the tree yourself or hiring a tree service.
The permit application process requires you to identify the tree by species and size, state the reason for removal, and in many cases provide a site plan showing the tree’s location relative to structures and property lines. For grand trees, the bar is higher — you’ll need to demonstrate that the tree is dead, dying, hazardous, or that no reasonable alternative to removal exists.
You generally don’t need a permit for removing dead trees (though documentation of the tree’s condition is strongly recommended), removing invasive species such as Brazilian pepper, Chinese tallow, Australian pine, and melaleuca, removing trees under the protected size threshold, and routine pruning that doesn’t remove more than 25% of the canopy.
However, even in exemption situations, it’s wise to document the tree’s condition with dated photos before removal, in case the county has questions later.
The Permit Process
For standard protected tree removal, the process is relatively straightforward. Submit an application to the county’s Development Services department, pay the application fee, and in many cases receive approval within one to three weeks. Some applications may trigger a site inspection.
For grand tree removal, expect a more involved process. The county may require an arborist’s report assessing the tree’s health and structural condition, an explanation of why the tree can’t be preserved, a mitigation plan (more on this below), and possibly a hearing before the Environmental Protection Commission.
The key to a smooth permit process is thoroughness. Complete applications with clear documentation tend to move quickly. Incomplete applications get sent back for revisions, adding weeks to the timeline.
Mitigation Requirements
When a protected or grand tree is approved for removal, Hillsborough County typically requires mitigation — meaning you need to offset the loss of that tree’s canopy.
For protected trees, mitigation usually involves planting replacement trees on your property or, if space doesn’t allow, paying into the county’s tree replacement fund. The replacement ratio varies based on the size and species of the removed tree, but expect to plant at least one replacement tree of a county-approved native species.
For grand trees, mitigation requirements are significantly more substantial. The county may require multiple replacement trees, larger replacement specimens, or a substantial contribution to the tree replacement fund. Removing a grand live oak, for example, could trigger a requirement to plant several new trees or pay thousands of dollars into the fund.
Mitigation trees must typically be native species appropriate for the site, meet minimum size requirements at planting (usually 3-inch caliper or larger), and be maintained and not removed for a specified period.
What Happens If You Remove a Tree Without a Permit?
The consequences are real. Hillsborough County can impose fines per tree based on the species and size, require replanting at an increased ratio (sometimes double or triple the standard mitigation), issue stop-work orders on any construction projects associated with the property, and in egregious cases, pursue legal action.
Unpermitted tree removal is often discovered through neighbor complaints, code enforcement patrols, or when property owners apply for building permits and aerial imagery reveals trees that were previously present.
The fine for removing a grand tree without authorization can run into thousands of dollars per tree, plus the cost of enhanced mitigation. It’s simply not worth the risk.
Trees on Properties Being Developed
If you’re clearing land for construction — whether it’s a new home, an addition, or a commercial project — the tree ordinance applies as part of the overall site development process. Your site plan must include a tree survey identifying all protected and grand trees, a tree preservation plan showing which trees will be saved and which need to be removed, proposed mitigation for removed trees, and tree protection measures during construction (barrier fencing, root zone protection).
Working with a tree service that’s experienced in Hillsborough County’s development process can save significant time and prevent costly redesigns.
Differences From Nearby Counties
It’s worth noting that Hillsborough County’s tree ordinance is generally more stringent than those in neighboring Pasco and Hernando counties. If you own property in multiple counties or are comparing regulations, don’t assume the rules are the same across the board.
Pasco County has its own tree ordinance with an 8-inch DBH threshold but somewhat different mitigation requirements and grand tree definitions. Hernando County’s regulations differ as well. Each municipality — Tampa, Temple Terrace, and Plant City within Hillsborough — has its own variation.
Working With the System
The tree ordinance isn’t designed to prevent you from ever removing a tree. It’s designed to ensure that tree removal is done thoughtfully and that the community’s canopy is maintained over time. In practice, most legitimate tree removal requests are approved, especially when the tree is dead, hazardous, or causing property damage.
The homeowners who run into problems are usually those who remove trees first and deal with consequences later, or those who submit incomplete applications and get frustrated by the back-and-forth.
The smoothest path to getting a tree removed in Hillsborough County is to work with a knowledgeable local tree service that understands the ordinance, handles or assists with the permit application, and includes mitigation planning in their proposal. A company that’s been operating in Hillsborough County for years knows the process, knows the staff at the permitting office, and can tell you during the initial estimate whether your tree is protected, grand, exempt, or invasive — saving you time and guesswork.
Protecting your trees protects your property value and your community’s character. And when a tree does need to come down, doing it by the book protects you from fines, legal issues, and the stress of dealing with code enforcement after the fact.
Related McGuire services & areas
Removing a tree in Hillsborough County? McGuire helps you stay compliant and contracts a certified arborist when a permit requires one.
- professional tree removal — permitted removals handled properly.
- tree service in Tampa — local Hillsborough County tree care.
- tree service in Brandon — serving Hillsborough County.
